Mauritania and Senegal held talks in Nouakchott on Monday ahead of the Eid El-Kebir festival, popularly known as Tabaski, to strengthen cooperation and ensure the availability of sacrificial animals.
The Senegalese delegation, led by Ambassador El Hadj Makhtar Sèye, met Mauritania’s Livestock Minister Sid’Ahmed Ould Mohamed to discuss mechanisms for the smooth delivery of sheep during the festive season.
According to Senegal’s Director of Livestock, Mamadou Diagne, Mauritania remains Senegal’s main supplier of sheep, accounting for 123,662 imported animals or 75.84 per cent of total imports. He said the northern Saint-Louis region recorded more than 105,000 sheep arrivals from Mauritania, while 39,405 sheep were imported from Mali through the Kidira and Moussala border crossings.
Mr Diagne added that as of May 6, 2026, at least 390,350 sheep were available at markets and sales points across Senegal, nearly matching supply levels recorded during the same period in 2025.